Train 2000 Women to Run for Office by 2022

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Step 1: Specify your contribution amount for Train 2000 Women to Run for Office by 2022

All or nothing. This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by 21 September 2021 23:59 AEDT

Overview

WFEAs most pressing goal is to empower 2000 women to stand for public office by 2022. The torrid news coming from Canberra relating to sexual harassment/assault/bullying/misogyny has seen an unprecedented number of women sign up to our programs. We now have a waiting list we’re having trouble servicing.

WFEA is seeking funding to run an additional six EQUIP training programs through 2021 to allow us to scale and meet increased demand for women seeking information on how to get elected to create positive change for their communities. These costs include: 2 program facilitators and associated costs, promotion of events, outreach to local communities, follow-on resourcing, IT and administration.

  • Achieving gender and cultural parity in our legislative chambers has considerable long term benefits including:
    greater cross-party collaboration
  • women MPs are more visible in their electorates and take more constituent meetings
  • less adversarial chambers
  • broader policy discussions and implementation that has far reaching positive outcomes for a greater number of people in
    the community
  • greater trust in our democratic institutions and inspiring others to get involved

Expected Outcomes

Approximately 180 women would be directly trained to run for office as a result of these additional programs. But the benefits extend beyond individuals; with the potential for each woman to benefit thousands of people in her electorate creating positive change for our society over the long term.

These additional programs will make a difference by:

  • increasing attendees knowledge on how to run for elections
  • helping attendees understand the direct link between government decisions and benefits for their community
  • providing leadership skills and confidence to empower women and their communities ultimately promoting equity and inclusion in Australia.

For the female participants, the specific outcomes from this project will include:

  • Increased political engagement and understanding
  • More women putting themselves forward for elections
  • Increased community (inc online) of women sharing an interest in positive civic duty

For the Australian community, the benefits of more women being in public office include:

  • Women tend to work more collaboratively across party lines, creating a less adversarial working environment
  • Women MPs tend to be highly responsive to constituent concerns & are more visible in their electorates
  • Women bring a different perspective to policy issues. This broadens the policies discussed & broadens the solutions considered
  • Women’s participation encourages citizen confidence in democracy
  • Younger women see role models, perpetuating confidence

Project Data & Lessons

Project data that will be measured includes:

  • specific outreach into marginalised and disadvantaged communities and monitoring attendance from these communities
  • conversion of attendees into our online WFEA alumni community
  • analysing and collating attendee feedback forms from each event to improve and evolve future training
  • attendees advocating for women in their community to attend future WFEA events
  • analysing which communities we’re successfully engaging with and which communities we need to engage better with
  • measuring what % of women run for office post our training workshops, how often they run, for what parties, at what level of gov and recording  their experiences to inform our future training Different levels of data will be shared depending on the audience. The success of our programs to help women to run, and also be elected, will be shared on our website, and across our rapidly growing social media channels. More specific data will be shared with facilitators and donors ensure we’re continuing to improve our offering whilst also demonstrating the impact of our projects.

Rewards

Donation - $50.00

Backer Count: 1

Thank you for donating to WFEA. Your money will contribute to strengthening our democracy by increasing the number, influence and diversity of women in politics in Australia and by engaging more women in the political process. Our mission is to inspire women, of all backgrounds and lived experience, to stand for public office, equip them to get elected – and support them to thrive once they’re there. Gender inequality in Australian politics has significant implications on our nation’s wellbeing. Your donation has the potential for each woman to benefit thousands of people in her electorate to create positive change for our society over the long term.

Sponsor a scholarship for a Refugee Woman to attend a WFEA Masterclass - $250.00

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Having so few women in government means that women are on the receiving end of decisions that impact them substantially but have little or no voice to effect change. The lack of gender diversity means a lack of robust and ethical decision-making central to an inclusive, dynamic society and more equitable, sustainable long-term policies and decisions. We need more diverse and lived experience in Parliament and refugee women will be able to properly represent and advocate on behalf their community. This masterclass is designed to provide a fundamental mastery of Australia’s political, legal and social systems.

Either yourself or a woman you nominate can attend the EQUIP & Inspire course. (WFEA can also offer a scholarship to an eligible woman on our waitlist) - $450.00

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The Women for Election Australia online EQUIP Program is a highly practical non-partisan program that provides women with the key knowledge of how to campaign at all levels of government. You’ll learn about the tools and techniques to enable you to run for office, be the best candidate you can be or assist another woman with her political campaign. If you are a woman running for office, managing a campaign or wanting to understand more about this political process, then this program is for you!

We need more women like you at the table where decisions are being made; at all levels of government.

This program consists of 2 intensive webinars, held over 2 weeks. Each session will be 2.5 hours in duration. You will need: a computer, access to reliable wifi and social media and a ‘get elected’ attitude.

Stretch Goals

Parliamentary Friends of Women For Election Australia- $5000.00

The Parliamentary Friends of Women For Election Australia (WFEA) is the first ever federal group, providing a non-partisan forum for Ministers and Senators to meet and interact with Women for Election Australia on matters relating to redressing the gender imbalance in political representation across all of Australia’s parliamentary chambers; from Canberra to our local council chambers.

WFEA will officially launch the Group in Canberra on Tuesday 30th November at Parliament House. All Ministers, Senators and their staff are invited.

The Parliamentary Friendship Group for Women endeavours to become an informal forum for discussion on gender issues. Its objectives include:

  • Bringing together female and male champions from across party lines and states to strengthen trust and build solidarity among female parliamentarians.
  • Aspiring to empower and provide capacity building for women in federal politics.
  • Aiming to promote female representation in politics.
  • Raising awareness on gender issues in political life and within the broader Australian public.
  • Establishing a mentoring program for women who are interested in entering the political arena and have completed the WFEA EQUIP course.

 

WFEA is seeking funding to continue to run this inaugural program throughout 2021-2022. This will allow us to scale and meet increased demand for the educational and networking events for Federal Senators and Minister’s seeking to help more women get elected at all levels of public office in order to create positive change for their communities. These costs include: 1 program facilitator and associated costs; catering and venue hire, creation and promotion of events, follow-on resourcing, IT and administration.

Masterclass Series- $3000.00

Given the overwhelming success and increased demand for our EQUIP training programs, WFEA have began to offer masterclasses on specific topics related to women running for public office who want to learn more. Women support their communities in so many ways. From running school P&C’s and local sports competitions, to establishing businesses and community campaigns and co-ordinating drought and bushfire relief for neighbours. These leadership skills are highly transferable to elected Public Office, where their work can then extend to helping groups within, and beyond, their immediate community. The Women for Election Australia online Masterclass Series is a highly practical non-partisan program that provides women with key skills on how to campaign at all levels of government.

They are presented by experts in the specific field and the sessions run for 90-120 minutes.

So far WFEA has provided the following Masterclasses:

Media Training Masterclass in collaboration with Charlotte Mortlock on 28th July 2021.

The session allowed participants to gain a unique insight into how to present in front of traditional media. Whether it’s radio or a TV interview, the masterclass helped participants with how to prepare and get their message across succinctly, while also controlling their voice and body language – even in adversarial environments.

Masterclass Self-advocacy: Why confidence is essential and how to expand this skill in collaboration with Kate Boorer and Fiona Pearman on August 1, 2021.

Practicing self-advocacy is an important part of ensuring that your hard work and accomplishments lead to achieving your goals be that political, personal or professional. So we’ve asked Kate Boorer and Fiona Pearman, two of Australia’s leading experts on career, confidence and personal brand and authors of Core Confidence, to join us for an interactive and in-depth workshop where they will help unpack some of the roadblocks and barriers that can get in the way of being our own best advocate when it comes to achieving your political ambitions.

WFEA has 3 more upcoming Masterclasses;

Fundraising Masterclass in collaboration with Grace Borsellino on 29, September 2021.

We’ve all been involved in fundraising in some way. But have you ever fundraised for yourself? Join Grace Borsellino, to explore different fundraising techniques and get a clear understanding of fundraising obligations – getting into the nitty gritty of what you can or cannot do. Grace will share key tips and opportunities for you to ask for donations through developing unique fundraising events

Styling Masterclass in collaboration with Julie Hyne on 27, October 2021.

Explore the importance of style and presence during campaigning and how you can develop your authentic and personal image and brand to stand out, be noticed and heard. Julie is a Certified and highly experienced Image Professional who has mentored hundreds of senior executive women who hold key positions of influence in Australia. Her Style for Life strategies have helped women build their executive presence, gain votes, promotions, build incomes, confidence to draw on their own strengths and influence even after just one session. Julie is acknowledged by FEW, AICD, Directors Institute, WOB and The CEO Institute because of her unique ability to help people transition up the ladder.

Social Media & Marketing in collaboration with Lyndsey Long and Kate Scott on 17, November 2021.

Without a doubt social media and political campaigning have become inseparable, with many constituents using social media to stay in touch with political discourse. Being able to expand your message and audience through social media and marketing as well as stay in touch with voters and public opinion is so important in today’s modern-day debate arena. Navigating social media and marketing strategies can be tricky within the political sphere. Join Kate and Lyndsey to explore how you can best develop your online image and public account.

WFEA would like to like to scale and meet increased the demand for women seeking specific training and information on how to get elected to create positive change for their communities. These costs include: 1 WFEA program facilitator and associated costs, research and outreach to expert facilitators, promotion of events, outreach to local communities, follow-on resourcing, IT and administration.

 

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